Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-02-24
COUSIN MARY.
"Is her room ready, Fannya"


eyes; quite ready-ever, things ready.n
"She ought to be here now, If the train is
punctual"; and as spoke put my head on
one side in listening attitude to catch the
first sound Of coming wheels.
II wonder what she'll be like" says Ada
for the flftieth time; ~ wonder if she is pref
ty." And my sister glances at her own pretty
fac cas- reflected in the mirror over the mantle
piece, with, perhaps a pardonable feeling of
satisfaction.
Mother scans the tea. table with a critical
eye to see that nothing is wanting. Jack, our
young hopeful of u years, joins the group at
the ndow, and still the the expected arrival
comes not.
Our early dinner has been over some hours.
1t is our usual tea hour now, but In honor of
Cousin Mary we at first resolved to dine later,
and have finally compromised matters by hay
ing high tea, which set out on a snowy CLOTH
with the fires rays dancing over it, looks even
in our tiny parlor, to my prejudIced eyes, very
inviting. Mother" l question presently
''will you say anything about Uncle Edgar to
her!" Not tonight, l think dear. She can't
bave got over his death yet, and, at any rate
! should find it awkward to do so. You know
we have not been on speaking terms for years
now. was as veXed about our differences as
II he had been mv own brother instead Of my
stepbrother." And mother heaves a sigh as
she speaks, and / wonder how anyone can en-
terrain resentment against anything gentle.
"Where does she travel from to-dayl" asks
Ada presently.
''From place called Yarley, think" re.
spends mother, "but really know as little
about her us you do. l think she has been
visiting some people called Whtclaw"
Jack goes aud pulls back the curtains 1--WE
have drawn them and lighted the gas, as the
twilight is falling rapidly for the sixth time,
as we hear a sound OF wheels.
This time they do stop before our house,
and before there has been time to open the
front door Ada and mother are already in the
passage.
81 say, Fanny" exclaims Jack, who still re-
tains his viewpoint, "here's go! Look
here" / step forward and look over his
shoulder.
The cab has drawn up, and before the cab
man has had time to alight some one opens
the door uu6ided and springs on to the pave.
ment in a very independent fashion. With
sweeping glance at our house she seems tc
take in all its dimensions, coolly including Its
inmates-Mother and Ada on the doorstep
Jack and me at the window. Then, without
changing her expression of face, she says Q
Few words to the cabman, and presently t.
our amazement, before either Jack or Jlbbv,
our maid of all work, can rush to the rescue,
this capable young female has slung a band
box in one hand and with the o her has seized
one end OF a heavy wood N trunk which occu
pied the box Of the cab, and in few hast,
strides deposited it within the door.
By this time, mindful of my duty, reached
the door, where the others are already recelv
ing Cousin Mary.
Show are YOU, Maryi" saws mother kindly
slow Eye dos" respon led our Cousin, in
loud, deep voice, shaking hands with us i
turn, as each goes forward
"Where's my trunk to gow continues she
having hardly glanced at Ada and me.
Jibby, the remiss, has now appeared on tn
scene. Upon our guest deigns to bestow
pro onged stare.
Jack call, ''come and help upstairs wit
the trunk the while regarding with som
CONSERVATION the unwieldy article before me
and thinking with some dismay how it wi
ill up our iiny spare room.
'Odt OF the way, please" saws our Cousin
putt ng me rather summary on one sid
you lend q hand here" addressing Jibb,
who is standing looking on open-mouthe
from the BACKGROUND
Before anyone en- demonstrate, the trun
Is half way up the staircase and all can d
Is to follow.
As predicted, a'ter II has found a Resin
place there Is not much surplus room
Cousin Mays apartment.
libby ret res after deposting it, and ent,
half hestating.
'.Not much room 10 turn here" remarl
our guest coolly surveying our much-though
Of spare room.
"Af least, you have 1t to YOURSELF" sa
coldly. You could have had part Of larg
room. but we fancied you would prefer this
such an arrangement. am inwardly than
full there Is no question of my sharing a roo
with my companion.l She had got rid OF b
ulster and hat, and is brushing her hair bcfo
the mirror. She then turns and looks at Il
SHARPLY, as speak, then resumes her occup
tion In silence. Her appearance is far fro
prepossessing Tall aud large boned, she IL
presses one as almost coarse In feature. s.
has mass Of thick, brown hair, which s.
wears In fringe cut low on her forehead, al
falling down behind in q large chignon qul
out OF date. Her complexion Is brilliant; q
has thick lipa and rather heavy jaw, and
large dImpe on her chin. In short. she mig
have been comely, but that, perhaps from
rough modes Of life. sls had become coarsene